diff --git a/src/ircutils.py b/src/ircutils.py
index 3b0c65ae2..b018fa611 100644
--- a/src/ircutils.py
+++ b/src/ircutils.py
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ class IrcString(str):
             return False
 
     def __ne__(self, s):
-        return not self == s
+        return not (self == s)
 
     def __hash__(self):
         return hash(self.lowered)